07/15/24 - 152 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/45529742
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Spotlight- Third Report On State Performance Issued Covering 2008-09
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The Rendell Administration this week issued its third annual Report on State Performance which tracks the accomplishments of 31 state agencies in FY 2008-09. "This report should be considered in the context of the extremely difficult economic climate that prevailed during the 2008-09 fiscal year, and that continues to be felt in Pennsylvania and across the nation," the Governor said. "The agencies under my jurisdiction carried out their work in the shadow of severe budget constraints – including a general hiring freeze, a freeze on cabinet and non-union salaries, and spending cuts of nearly $500 million."
"At a time when resources are so scarce, the process of measuring performance and improving the service state agencies provide becomes even more important," Budget Secretary Mary Soderberg said.
"The Governor has asked Commonwealth agencies to focus on ways to qualitatively measure their performance so we can improve government efficiency and increase our accountability to Pennsylvania's residents," she said. "Pennsylvanians need to be able to clearly see that their tax dollars are invested in ways that make a measurable difference in people's lives."
Under the section on environment, the report highlights--
-- Increasing the development of alternative energy sources in Pennsylvania. The Alternative Energy Investment Act of 2008 will provide $650 million for new investments in alternative and renewable energy; energy efficiency projects for residents, businesses and local governments; and conservation and weatherization measures to reduce energy consumption. In 2009, the PA Sunshine Solar program received applications from more than 200 businesses for rebates available to residents and small businesses for solar photovoltaic and solar thermal projects.
-- Conserving farmland, forest lands and open space. In 2008-09, Pennsylvania preserved 23,681 acres on 253 farms and 10,435 acres of forest land and open space.
-- Reducing unhealthy levels of pollution in the air, water and land. In 2008-09, Pennsylvania’s nutrient management plans protected 589,450 acres by controlling nutrients beneficial to crops and pastures but harmful to streams and rivers.
-- Creating outdoor connections for citizens and visitors. In 2008-09, 36.6 million people visited Pennsylvania’s state parks, a 10 percent increase from 2007-08. And Pennsylvania certified 13,735 students in boating safety education courses and educated students in 95 classrooms about watersheds through the Trout in the Classroom program.
A copy of the report is available online.
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4/19/2010 |
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